BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – THE statement given to police by murder-accused Bishu Isaac following the stabbing death of Tau Gowan, was read in court yesterday (Oct. 8) in which he explained his version of the incident.
Facts already presented in the case indicated that Isaac, on the night of April 18, 2009, was involved in an altercation with Gowan, which may have led to him being stabbed, resulting in his death.
Prosecution witness and Chief Investigator in the case, Corporal Carl Greaux, gave evidence which included him reading the statement given to him by the accused on the day after the incident occurred.
According to that statement, while he was leaving his family’s restaurant, he was approached by Gowan who was “looking for trouble”. He said Gowan made attempts to obstruct his path a number of times and he avoided confrontation and made his way to the other side of the road.
Isaac, as the statement indicated, said Gowan began ‘digging’ him in his chest; actions which he said he ignored. His statement read, that he had his back turned to Gowan and when he turned around the deceased attempted to punch him but missed because he ducked.
He said that is when he (Isaac) began inquiring as to what was taking place.
The statement further indicated that Gowan pushed Isaac and the accused responded in like manner, at which point Gowan slipped out of his shoes and off the sidewalk. It was then, Isaac indicated, that Gowan advanced and he retreated.
However, he explained, Gowan picked up a knife from a table and swung it at him. He said he avoided contact by ducking and held on to Gowan’s hand, which led to both men “wrangling”.
While they were wrangling, as Isaac’s statement explained, Gowan “let go” and ran across the road.
Contrary to Isaac’s statement, one witness in the case testified that Isaac was the one who made a motion as if to remove something from the table. The witness also testified that Gowan ran into Central Street and was followed by accused. He further explained that Gowan “started throwing ‘boxes’ and the accused made one swing at him”, after which Gowan tuned and ran in the opposite direction.
Another witness testified that following the ordeal, Isaac took the knife back to the food stall, located on the south-western corner of the junction of Central Street and Shear Lane, and the food stall operator told him she did not want the object which was blood-stained.
The case continues on Monday (Oct. 12) when the prosecution is expected to call its final witness, after which Isaac would receive and opportunity to take the stand, should he elect to do so.
